Electric steam pressing iron



July 27,1926. 1,593,896

C. A. BREWER ELECTRIC STEAM I RESSING IRON Filed OCt. 24, 1924 y I N VEN TOR. afwfaf/ez;

. t2.00/ I 2m ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 27, 1926. Y

UNITED 'STATES PMaN'rf OFFICE.,

CHARLES A. BREWER, OF NOROTON HEIGHTS, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO CANNONENGINEERING CO., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC STEAM PRESSING IRON.

Application led October 24, 1924. Serialv No. 745,592.

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in electric-allyVheated steam pressing irons 4provided with means for automaticallyregulating and controlling the operation of the heating means.

The invention has for its principal ob'- ject to provide in combinationwith a pressing iron having means to extravasate steam from its pressingface, an electrical heating meansv provided with a thermostatic controlfor'"automaticallyy maintaining `the heat of the iron body at a desiredpredetermined temperature, whereby the Asteam delievered through theiron is guarded, on the one-v hand, againstvundue temperature droplikely to result in the formation of water by condensation, while, onthe other hand, excessive temperature rises likely to result insuperheating the steam and thus causing excessive pressure are likewiseavoided.

The invention has for a further object to provide, in connection with anelectrically heated steam iron of the-type having a combined waterseparator and secondary steamv the construction of said parts, all ofwhich `,generator through which steam from a suitable primary source ispassed prior to delivery into the main steam chamber ofthe iron, aseparate or indepedent continuously operating electric heating means foruninterruptedly supplying heat Vto the combined water separator andsecondary steam generator.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularlyenumerated, will be clearly understood from the following detaileddescription of the same.

With the various objects of this invention in view, the same consists,primarily, in the novel electricsteam pressing/iron hereinafter setforth; and the invention consists, furthermore, in the several novelarrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts, as wellas in the details of will be hereinafter more fully described in thefollowing speciication,.and then vfinally-` embodied in theclaims'appnded thereto.

The invention is clearly illustrated inthe. accompanying drawings, inIwhiclrz- Figure 1 yis a vertical longitudinal section 'through the ironmade according to and embodyingY the principles of the presentinvention;Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on dline 2,2 in Figure 1'; andFigure 3, is a wiring 4diagram illustrating the electrical circuitsthrough the 'heating elements of the 1ron.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabovedescribed views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to said drawings, the reference character 1 indicates themain body of the pressing iron, the same beingcast from a suitablemetal, so as to provide on its under side a smooth pressing face 2. The'body 1 of the iron is cored to provide an internal steam chamber 3entering its heel or Y rear end and extending longitudinally forwardtoward the toe thereo The body of the iron, intermediate its pressingface 2 and the steam chamber 3,.is provided with a plurality of suitablyspaced and disposed steam vents or openings 4 leading :from said steamchamber to the pressing face of the iron. The body 1 of the iron isfurther provided at its upper side or top, andabove said steam chamber3, with a coutersunk seat or recess 5, preferably corresponding in shapeto the peripheral outline of the iron. Disposed in said seat or recess 5is an electrical heating unit 6 of any suitable construction, andprovided with current con` ducting wires or other conductive elements 7which are suitably imbedded therein. The heating unit 6 is retained inengagement with the bottom of the seat or recess 5 by means of akeeperplate 8 of any suitable construction, and suitably' secured to theVbody of the iron by any desired form of fastening means, such e. g. asscrews 9.

-To enclose the heating unit 6 and associate part-s, there is provided atop-casing .10, which is suit-ably shaped to conformto the outline shapeof the iron, as well asto close over said heating unit and associateparts. The peripheral upper margin of the iron body 1 is provided withan inwardly ott-set peripheral shoulder 11 adapted to provide inconjunction therewith a peripheral seat 12. The marginal edge portionsof the top-casing 10 are telescopically engaged over saidperipheralshoulder 11, with the free edge of the former seated .upon orabutting-the peripheral seat 12, thus holding the top-casing against.l`lateral displacement. -The top-casing 10 is secured against separationor vertical displacement from assembled relation to the iron body-in any'manner and by any means found'to be convenient or deslrable.

' sion 17, for purposes subsequently to be demesses A Avsuitable handlebail vor ar'ch'13, of anyA inthe outer end of saiddischarge orifice'.`

desiredv shape, issecured by rivets 14, or 25, or otherwise connectedand supported in otherwise, to the top-casing 10 so as to becommunication with the latter, is a hollow dis sed longitudinally of theiron. Said sfteam distributing member 29, which extends bai or arch 13is provided with a suitable longitudinally forward 'throughtheqintehand-grip member 15.` Secured intermedirior of" the steamchamber 3 ofthe iron. ate the top-casing 10 an'd Ythe hand-grip Saidsteam distributing member 29 is permember 15,in-any suitable manner, isa forated at its underside to rovide a luheat resistant shield 16,adapted to interrality of steam. delivery ori ces 3Q. uit. cept heatradiated from the top of the iron, ably supported within saidsteamchamber and thus shieldthe handof the user from 3, so as to be -alinedwith, and so`as to enthe uncomfortable eifectsof radiated heat gclosesaid vsteam distributing member, is a when the iron is beingmanipulated. tubdlar water trap member 31 of enlarged The .top-casing 10`is provided at Aits rear diameter, the same having steam discharge end,behind the bail and handgrip member, vents 32 in vits sides. The 'steamissuing with an upwardly projecting casing eXtenfrom the distributingmember 29 first passes into the interior of the strap member 31,`scrlbed. andv thence issues through the dischargel The referencecharacter 18 indicates `the vents 32 of the latter into thejsteamchamcombined water separator and secondary yber 3 of the iron body 1 forextravasation steam-generator with which the iron may be through thevents 4 to the pressing face of equipped, the same comprising a suitablythe iron.` Any condensation of water from shaped metallic castin whichis suitably the steam is caught in the bottom side of the secured to theheel of t e iron body 1 so as trap member 31, and is thus prevented fromto extend upwardly therefrom. Said castaccompanying the steam; into ,thesteam ing is cored to provide a substantially vertichamber 3 and thence'thnough the vents 4 cal internal chamber 19, which serves both on tothe goods being pressed.`bythe irn. l

as a'trap for condensed water and as a boiler chamber in which thetrapped condensed water separator and secondary steam`genel. water is;reconverted into steam` subject to a'tor 18, is provided in its inner orforward delivery 'into the Vmain steam chamber 3 of wall with a recessor seat 33, which is located Said casting, which forms 'the combined" vthe iron body. Provided in the upper free opposite thelower end of thechamber 19." A

i end of saidxcasting is an internally threaded Secured within thisQrecess or seat 33 is an.4

v charge orifice 25.-

opening leading into the upper end of said electric heating unit of anysuitable. con combined trap vand boiler chamber 19, in struction, andprovided with current conwhich is engaged a 'bushing 20 ada ted toducting VWires or other conductive "elements support/a steam-intake pipe21, which ex- 35. Said recess or seat 33. is closed 'byva tendsdownwardlywithin said'chamber 19 cover plate 36, which serves to retainthe so as to terminate intermediate the upper heating' element or unit34 in place. Ifl

and lower ends thereof.- Connected with desired, a heat-resistant sheet37 of asbestos',

the outerend of said steam-intake pipe 20, or. other material, may beinterposed bei by a suitable union device 22, i's one end tween theheating unit 34 and cover plate 36. of a iexible steam yconduit 23 whichleads from a main'orl primary sorce of stea supply. Said chamber 19 is`closed at is terminals, comprising a positivey plug or' bottom end by apartition or-wall 24 which terminal 38 and a negative plug or terminalConnected with the free end of said casing extension 17, are malecontact' plugs ori'ilm separates the interior of the chamber 19 39. Thesame .being each secured by bolts.-

from-a discharge orifice 25 with which the 40 and nuts 41,. the formerof which extend lower` end ofthe casting is provided. EX- upwardlyl fromthe interior of said casing tendmg upwardly through 'said partiextension17 through thefwall thereof iso, t1on or wall 24 is a steam discharge asto engage the bases of said plugs or ter-V pipe- 26, the open intake"end 27 of minals. An .open ended shield or enclosure,

which terminates within the upper end 42 maybe assembled 'with the-plugsor terof said chamber\19, while its -lower disminals to protectthe samefrom blows or' charge end communicates with said disthe like. Therespective plugs orterminals 38 and 39 and theirffastenng bolts 40 areWhen the'casting which forms the combined water se'paratorand secondarysteam casing extension 17 andthe shield orenclovgenerator 18 is:operatively assembled with sure 42 by means of Washers an'dtsleeves Vofy the heel lof the iron body 1, it closes the rearinsulation material43. The inner .ends of ward Open end of the steam chamber 3 of the bolts40 with their nuts 41, and assistedI the latter, andthe dischargeorifice 25 of by metallic washers 44, serve also as bindtheiormeg 1s4properly alined with said ingposts for attaching circuit wires opera# nQ'pen end of .the steam chamber 3. Suptively in connection withv therespective ported'by a bushing 28', whichl is engaged plugs orterminals. The positive" conductor" insulated against,lelectricalcontact with the' for theseconda'ry steam generator heatingunit 24, is connected between washers 44 on the boltv 40 connected withthe-positive plug or terminal 38, and extends therefrom,

through an opening 46 in the rear wall of outwardly throughthecoverplate 36, thencel inwardly through the opening 46, for connectionbetween washers 44 on the bolt 40 connected with the negative plug orterminal 39, thus coupling the electrical service circuit between theplugs or terminals 38 and 39 and said heating unit 34.

in any desired convenientmanner, is an automatic electrical thermostaticswitch or cut-out, the. same comprising a pair of parallel contact, armsrigidly secured together at their rear ends in desired spaced apartrelation by an intermediate spacing block 49 of insulating material. Thecontact arms and spacing block 49 are secured in supported connection`with said bracket piece '48 by a bolt and nut 50, which is electricallyseparated from electrical engagement with the respective contact arms byinsulation 51.

One of said contactl arms, preferably the upper of the pair, constitutesan adjustable contact arm 52, provided adjacent toits free end with acontact button 53, and an upwardly extending threaded shank or adjustingscrew54. The otherof said contact arms constitutes a thermostaticcontact arm 55 consisting of superimposed `layers of metals havingrespectively 'different eoeil cients of expansion, whereby the same willflex or bend from a normal contact'making position when expanded byheat. The free end of said thermostatic contact arm is provided lwith acontact button 56 which normally engages, in circuit closing relation,with the contact button 53 of the adjustable contact arm 52. The meansfor adjusting said adjustable contact arm 52 comprises a bushing 57 ofinsulating material mounted in the end wall of the `casing extension 17and in which is supported a rotatable internally screw threadedadjusting sleeve `or nut 58, which operatively engages the free end ofsaid adjusting ,screw 54, and which may be turned to` produce anadjusting movement of the vfree end of said contact arm 52 either towardor away from the thrmostatic contact arm 55, as occasion may require.Threaded on the outer end of said bushing 57 is a cover cap-59, whichboth closes over said adjusting sleeve or nut. 58, and which may alsoserve, by frictionally engaging the head flange 58 of the latteragainst, the end' of the bushing -57,

to lock. the adjusting sleeve or nut 58 in position to which it has beenturned.

Suitably supported within said top-casing 1Q, above the iron body, is anelectrical condenser 59 of any suitable form.

The main heating unit 6, for heating the bodyy of the iron, iselectrically connected through the condenser 59 and thermostatic switchor cut-out to the positive and negative plugs or terminals 38 and 39 asfollows. Connected withthe positive plug or terminal. 38, by lengagingvone end between Washers 44 on the bolt 40 thereof, is a conductor 6()which leads to and is velectrically connected with the fixed end of saidadjustablecontact arm 52, through which the current passes to themutually engaged contact buttons 53 Supported bya bracket piece/ 48secured to the top-casing 10, or otherwise supported Y and 56 into thethermostatic contact arm 55.

end of said thermostatic contact arm 55 is a conductor 61 which leads tcand is electrically connected withy the positive pole 62 of thecondenser 59. Electrically' connected with the negative pole 63 of thecondenser 59 is a conductor 64 which leads to and is electricallyconnected with the positive pole of the electric. heating unit 6.Connected with the negative pole of said electric heating unit 6 is aconductor 65 which leads toand which is electrically engaged `with thelnegative plug or terminal 39 by connecting its outer extremity betweenWashers 44 of the bolt 40 engaged with said negative' plug or terminal39. The electrical circuits above described will be readily understoodfrom an inspection of the wiring diagram shown in Figure 3 of thedrawings, from which it will be clear. y

that the thermostatic switch orcut-out, con- 'denser,'and heating unit 6are connected ih series betweeny the positive plug or terminal 38`andthe negative plug or terminal 39.

Thel iron is operatively connected with a source. of e ectrical energyby feed wires suitably engaged or coupled with the plugs or terminals 38and-39 by any desired contact making or coupling means (not show-n)stantly or uninterruptedly operated `while the iron is in service`regardless of the in-l termittent delivery of current to the mainheating element or unit 6, so that suilicient heat is constantly appliedto saidvsecondary im steam generator at all times. Since it is delsirable that the heat applied tothe body -of the iron shouldnot lbecomeexcessive, but rather'should be maintained at steady temperature ,of anapproximately fixed predethe thermostatic regulator or, control switchis such that the contact arms are normally engaged in circuit closingposition, so that current is delivered throughl the heating bi-metalthermostatic contact arm 55, which- 4tion tending from circuit closing.engagement with the unit 6. In the event the heat of the iron exceedsthe desired predetermined temperature, the excessive heat tends toexpand the by reason of the different coetlicientsof expansion possessedby its metallic component parts, is ythereupon flexed or bent in adirecto remove its contact button 56 contact'button 53 of the adjustable`contact arm 52, thus' breaking the circuit through.

the heating unit 6.' The supply of heat to the iron being thusinterrupted, the temperature of the body of the iron, drops again to thedesired degree, `and the Ithermostatic contact arm 52 contracts, andthusl returns to normal contact vmaking relation -to the regulatorVcontact arm -52, again renewingthe supply of heat producing currentthrough the heating unit 6, until the heat.

again becomes excessive, and a repetition of the above descrlbedoperations ensues.

When the iron is in operation, steamis. .dellvered from a .suitablesource of supply.

through the flexible steam conduit 23 to the `steam intake pipe 20, andthence into the chamber 19 of the combined watertrap and vdelivere intol.the chamber 19 vfinds .exit

' therefrom through the steam discharge pipe 26, discharge orifice 25and thence into the steam' dlstributing'member 29, trap member 31, andsteam chamber 3 of the iron body 1, whereupon, 4a's'the operatormanipulates4v the iron to press goods, the steam fromthel [chamber3`wi11 beextravasated through thev vents 4 in the pressin face oftheiron in by the goods are sufficiently dampened-to assure rapid andcomplete smoothing out: of

, all wrinkles, etc., in a manner well understood by ythose familiarwith such operations.. y

Any condensation of steam occurringin the steam conduit 23 will be,trapped inthe lower end of thev chamber 19 of the com bined watertrapand secondarysteam generator, and the continuously operatingelectric heating unit 34 connect d'with the latter providesuninterrupted ,hea suiiicient torre- 'convert the" trapped 'water l'tosteam, .which 'steam generator. The',.steam thus nuoaaeeI will thereuponagain join the Ilow .of live steam passing out of the chamber 19-throughthe discharge pi e 26, and thence, in t e manner abovey escribed, into`the steam tained at` an approximate pre etermined temperature, thesteam delivered into the steam chamber 3 is guarded against undue`temperature dro so that condensation thereof within t e steam chamber 3and `steam distributing means within the latter is prevented, while atthe same time `excessive temperature rises likely" to superheat thesteam is likewise prevented, andexcessive steam pressure both within theiron, and as to the steam extravasated are n ot permitted to occur.Such,prevention of condensation is important, since it obviateslikelihood of water being discharged through the pressing face of theiron with consequent likelihood,

of staining. the goods to which the iron is applied. The .prevention ofexcessive steampressure is not only important from the standpoint of,safety,'fbut alsobecause if steam at excessive pressure is dischargedthrough the vents 4 ofthe pressing face of vthe :iron it is quite likelyvto perforate the goods being pressed to a ydamaging degree. It will beunderstood that when the iron 1s idle, any condensationin the steam-distrib- -uting member 29 will be lfcaught or trapped in the trapmember 31, and there held until the` iron is again put in use, whereuponthe heat imparted to the latter will reconvertthe condensation to steam,which will be discharged into'the steain chamber 3 as thel iron'is used.

It lwill be understood that in a.l simplel form of iron, the' combinedWater trap and.

secondary steam generator above described,

for may b'e omitted, and steam from a pri-- mary source delivereddirectly through the and construction Aof thermostatically con-v contactwith the goods eing pressed, 'wheretrolled electric heating unit towhich attention has been directed, are in no Way effected, and I,therefore, deem this invention, as described and hereafter claimed, toinclude `within its scope an iron so constructed.

I am aware-that some changes, other than` the various devices and p'arts,'as well :as in 1go y those above indicated, may be made inthe'general arrangements and combinations of the details of the construction.of ,the same,

Atogether with the electric heating unit thereup invention to the exactarrangements and combinations of the devices and parts as set forth inthe foregoing specification, nor do I confine myself to the exactdetails of the construction of said parts as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

I claim 1. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an internalsteam. chamber, said body having a plurality of steam vents leading fromsaid steam chamber to the pressing face thereof, means for introducing,steam into said steam chamber, an electrical heating means for'supplying heat to said iron body, an electrical thermostatic controlmeans in circuit with said heating means, and means -for coupling saidthermolstatiecontrol means and heating means with a source of electricalenergy.

2. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an internal steamchamber, said body having a plurality of steam vents leading from saidsteam chamber to the pressing face thereof, means for introducing steaminto said steam chamber, an electrical heating means engaged with saidiron bodyto supply heat thereto, a normally closed electrical cut-outprovided With a thermoexpansive circuit breaking contact in circuit withsaid heating means, and means vfor coupling said cut-out and heatingmeans with a source of electrical energy.

3. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an vinternal steamchamber, said body having a plurality of steam vents leading from saidsteam chamber to the pressing face thereof, a combined water separatorand secondary steam generator mounted on said iron t-o receive steamfrom a primary source and deliver the same .to said steam chamber, amain electrical heating means engaged with said ironl body to supplyheat thereto, a second electrical heating means engaged with saidcombined water separator and secondary steam generator -to directlysupply heat thereto, and means 'for coupling said respective heatingmeans with a source of electrical energy.

4. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an internal steamchamber, -said bodyA having a pluralit)T of steam vents leading fromsaid steam chamber to the'pressing face thereof, a combined waterseparator and secondary steam generator mountedon said iron to receivesteam from a primary source fordelivery to said steam chamber, a secondwater separator means Within said steam chamber through which steampasses from said combined separator and generator into the interior ofsaid steam chamber, a main electrical heating means engaged with saidiron body to supply heat thereto, a second electrical heating meansengaged with said combined water separator and secondary steam generatorto direct1y-supply heat` thereto, and means for coupling said respectiveheating means With-a source of electrical energy.

5. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an internal steamchamber, said body having a plurality of steam vents leading from saidsteam chamber to the pressing face thereof, a combined water separatorand sec ondary steam generator mounted on said iron to receive steamfrom-a primary source for delivery to said steam chamber, asecond Waterseparatormeans Within said. steam chamber through which steam passesfrom said combined separator and generator into the interior of saidsteamy chamber, a main electrical heating means engaged With said ironbody to supply heat thereto, a normally closed electrical ,cut-outprovided with a thermo-expansive circuit breaking Contact in circuitwith said main heating means, a

second electrical heating means engaged Withl said combined Waterseparator and secondary steam generator to directly supply heat thereto,and means for couplingsaid cut-out and main heating means with la sourceof electrical energy, said second electricalheating means beingelectrically connected in shunt circuit with said coupling means.

6. In a pressing appliance, an iron body having an internal steamchamber, said body having a plurality of-steam vents leading from saidsteam chamber to the pressing face thereof, means for introducing steaminto said steam chamber, an' electrical heating means engaged With saidiron body to supply heat thereto, a normally closed electrical cut-outin circuit with said'heating means comprising an adjustable contact anda thermo-expansive contact, means for adjusting said adjustable contacttoward or away from said thermo-expansive contact, and means forcoupling said cut-out and heating means with a source of electricalenergy. y

7. In a pressin appliance, an iron body said thermo-expansive contact,hmeans fory coupling said cut-out and heating means with a source ofelectrical energy, and an electrical condenser in series between saidheating meansand cut-out.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereuntoset my hand this 15th day'of October, 1924.

CHARLES A. BREWER.

